Barbra Streisand Might Return to Musicals With ‘Gypsy’

It’s hard to imagine, considering she was such an entrenched cultural icon, but it’s been 27 years since Barbra Streisand was last in a musical. That was, of course, Yentl, which also means it’s been 27 years since she’s cross-dressed in a movie.

These are important facts, dear reader.

That streak might be broken, though, if she secures the role of Rose for a new adaptation of the musical Gypsy &dash; the story based on the memoir of famous stripper Gypsy Rose Lee. There are few people who could throw their lyrical weight around the way Streisand could here (unless Barbara Hershey has pipes on her), and it would be a highly recognizable figure playing a fairly iconic role.

The play was just revived on Broadway in 2008, and it looks like Warners is teaming with the legendary Steven Sondheim (who wrote the original lyrics) and Arthur Laurents (who wrote the original book). Of course, the original music author Jule Styne passed away back in 1994.

All in all, it’s got the authenticity, and the talent (especially if Streisand signs on), and it will give SNL some new material to work with. No word yet on if the new Fockers installment will be set to music. [Cinematical]